As Adams had been removed from Oregon without extradition papers, and as his confinement in the Idaho State Penitentiary was kept secret, his friends had no idea what had become of him.
But on March 2nd, 1906, not a little excitement was caused when the startling announcement was made public that Manager McParland had secured a confession from Stephen Adams which corroborated in every detail the confession of Harry Orchard. The attorneys and friends of Messrs. Moyer, Haywood and Pettibone certainly must have been taken aback at this latest success of the prosecution ; and, to be sure, things were beginning to look rather gloomy for the union leaders.
According to the best information obtainable at that time, Manager McParland admitted that Steve Adams had made a startling confession, and that this statement corroborated Orchard's confession in all particulars. This incident created much talk and feeling, and proved that Manager McParland intended to push the case against the Federation leaders to the bitter end. Many people who had at first refused to believe in the guilt of Moyer, Haywood and Pettibone now became inclined to side with the prosecution, and the cause of the miners seemed to be on the wane. However, organized labor, the country over, stood as a unit in their unshakable belief in the innocence of the accused men.
Thus Spring and Summer came and went, without anything new having transpired in connection with this case; but the early days of Fall brought forth sensations of such a totally unexpected character, that even the most indifferent people suddenly took notice.
214 The Pinkerton Labor Spy.
The first sensation was a statement signed by Stephen Adams and witnessed by his wife, who sumggled it out of the penitentiary and made it public on Saturday, September 8th, 1906, and which we quote: